Nematocidel use of 3,4,4-trifluoro-3-butenylthio methylidene compounds

ABSTRACT

Compounds of the formula WHEREIN X is a member selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, imino, phenylimino, chlorophenylimino, alkylimino containing from one to eight carbon atoms, inclusive, and alkenylimino containing two to four carbon atoms, inclusive, R is selected from the group WHEREIN R1 and R2, individually, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl containing from one to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, hydroxyalkyl containing from one to four carbon atoms, inclusive, alkenyl containing from two to four carbon atoms, inclusive, cycloalkyl containing from four to six carbon atoms, inclusive, phenyl, and R1 and R2 jointly are a divalent alkylene radical containing four to six carbon atoms, inclusive, and R3 is selected from the group lower alkyl, chlorophenyl lower alkyl, and 3,4,4-trifluoro-3-butenyl. The above compounds are effective herbicides and nematocides. Representative compounds are S-(3,4,4-trifluoro-3-butenyl) N-methyl dithiocarbamate, S,Sbis-(3,4,4--trifluoro-3-butenyl N-ethylimino dithiocarbonate, 3,4,4-trifluoro-3-butenyl ethyl trithiocarbonate, S-(3,4,4trifluoro-3-butenyl)-N-phenyl-N-methyl isothiourea.

United States Patent Brokke et al.

[151 3,689,662 [451 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] NEMATOCIDEL USE OF 3,4,4-

TRIFLUORO-S-BUTENYLTHIO METHYLIDENE COMPOUNDS [72] Inventors: Mervin E. Brokke, Richmond; Thomas B. Williamson, Santa Clara, both of Calif.; George E. Lukes, deceased, late of El Cerrito, Calif.; Wayne C. Jaeschke, special administrator, Walnut Creek, Calif. of said George E. Lukes, deceased [73] Assignee: Stauffer Chemical Company, New

York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Dec. 10, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 97,006

Related US. Application Data [60] Continuation of Ser. No. 888,111, Dec. 18, 1969, abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No. 735,495, May 27, 1968, Pat. No. 3,510,503, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 491,508, Sept. 27, 1965, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. ..424/301, 71/94, 71/95, 71/100, 71/101, 71/121, 424/267, 424/274,

[51] Int. Cl. ..A0ln 9/12 [58] Field of Search ..424/301, 300

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/ 1959 Harman ..424/300 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Chemical Abstracts (1963) Vol. 59, 5087 Primary Examiner- Albert T. Meyers Assistant Examiner-Norman A. Drezin Att0rneyWayne C. Jaeschke and Edwin H. Baker [57] ABSTRACT Compounds of the formula I! CFFCFCHzCH2SC-R wherein X is a member selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, imino, phenylimino, chlorophenylimino, alkylimino containing from one to eight carbon atoms, inclusive, and alkenylimino containing two to four carbon atoms, inclusive, R is selected from the group R1 N and S R wherein R and R individually, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl containing from one to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, hydroxyalkyl con taining from one to four carbon atoms, inclusive, alkenyl containing from two to four carbon atoms, inclusive, cycloalkyl containing from four to six carbon atoms, inclusive, phenyl, and R and R jointly are a divalent alkylene radical containing four to six carbon atoms, inclusive, and R is selected from the group 4 Claims, No Drawings NEMATOCIDEL USE OF 3,4,4-TRIFLUORO-3- BUTENYLTHIO METHYLIDENE COMPOUNDS The application is a continuation of earlier copending application Ser. No. 888,11 1, filed Dec. 18, 1969, now abandoned, which in turn was a divisional application of then copending application Ser. No. 735,495, filed May 27, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,510,503 issued May 5, 1970, which in turn was a continuation-in-part of then copending application Ser. No. 491,508, filed Sept. 27, 1965, now abandoned.

This invention relates to certain new substituted 3,4,4-trifluoro-3-butenylthio methylidene compounds and to the utility of said compounds as nematocides and herbicides. More specifically, this invention relates to compounds of the general formula wherein X is a member selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, imino, phenylimino, chlorophenylimino, alkylimino containing from one to eight carbon atoms, inclusive, and alkenylimino containing two to four carbon atoms, inclusive; R is selected from the group and es R wherein R and R individually, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl containing from one to carbon atoms, inclusive, hydroxyalkyl containing from one to four carbon atoms, inclusive, alkenyl containing from two to four carbon atoms, inclusive, cycloalkyl containing from four to six carbon atoms, inclusive, phenyl, and R and R jointly are a divalent alkylene radical containing four to six carbon atoms, inclusive, and R is selected from the group lower alkyl, chlorophenyl lower alkyl, and 3,4,4- trifluoro-3-butenyl.

In the above description, the following preferred embodiments are intended for the various groups: in alkylimino such alkyl members as containing from one to about eight carbon atoms in both straight chain and branched chain configurations, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, octyl, isooctyl and 2,2- dimethylbutyl; in alkenylimino, such alkenyl members as containing from two to about four carbon atoms, inclusive, for example vinyl, allyl, butenyl and the like. The term alkyl preferably includes those members of the group which contain one to about 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, in both straight chain and branched chain configurations. Preferable embodiments of the term alkyl as used herein are, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, neopentyl, isopentyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, lmethylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylpentyl, l,2-dimethylpropyl, 1,l,2,2-tetramethyl propyl, l,l-dimethyl butyl, 1,1- dimethyl pentyl, 1,1-trimethyl butyl, l-ethylbutyl and l-ethylpentyl. The term hydroxyalkyl, preferably includes those members of the group which contain from one to about four carbon atoms, inclusive, for example hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl,"hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl. The term cycloalkyl preferably includes those members of the group which contain from about four to about six carbon atoms, inclusive, for example, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. The term lower alkyl preferably includes members of the group in which the lower alkyl group contains from one to about six carbon atoms inclusive, in both straight chain and branched chain configuration, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, l-methylpentyl, l ,Z-dimethylpropyl, neopentyl and isopentyl. The term chloro-phenyl lower alkyl preferably includes those members of the group which contain one to about two carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group, for example, chlorophenylmethyl and chlorophenylethyl. The phrase R and R jointly are a divalent alkylene radical containing four to six carbon atoms preferably includes such groups as tetramethylene, pentamethylene and hexamethylene.

The compounds herein disclosed are prepared by various methods. One such general method applied in preparing the compounds was the condensation of the appropriate mercaptan and carbon disulfide in the presence of basic catalyst followed by the addition of l,1,2-trifluoro-4-bromobutene l. Similarly, some of the compounds may be prepared by the condensation of a substituted amine, carbon disulfide and 1,1,2- trifluoro-4-bromobutene-l. In the same manner, a substituted thiourea may be condensed with 1,1,2- trifluoro-4-bromobutene-l, and likewise a secondary amine, carbon oxysulfide and l,l,2-trifluoro-4- bromobutene-l may be reacted to produce N,N-disubstituted-S-trifluorobutenyl thiocarbamates. The reactions proceed readily in the liquid phase and which are between room temperature and reflux temperature of the solvent, if any is used, are employed. Preferably, the reaction mixture is refluxed, usually at an elevated temperature.

It has been found that the compounds of the present invention are particularly effective as nematocides and herbicides. They are effective in the control of nematodes which applied to a nematodal habitat.

The method of the present invention of controlling undesirable vegetation comprises applying an herbicidally effective amount of the above-described compounds to the area where control is desired. An herbicide is used herein to mean a compound which controls or modifies the growth of plants. By an herbicidally effective amount is meant an amount of compound which causes a modifying effect upon the growth of plants. Such modifying effects include all deviations from natural development, for example, killing, retardation, defoliation, desiccation, regulation, stunting, tillering, stimulation, dwarfing and the like. By plants it is meant germinant seeds, emerging seedlings, and established vegetation including the roots and aboveground portions.

The compounds of the present invention may be prepared in accordance with the following illustrative examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of S,S-bis-(3,4,4-trifluoro-3-butenyl) N- ethylimino dithiocarbonate Ethylamine (9.0 g.) and triethylamine (40.4 g.) were placed in a flask and 15.2 g. of carbon disulfide was added dropwise. The flask and its contents during the addition were kept at a temperature of l20C. and then stirred for 30 minutes at 25C. 1,1,2-trifluoro-4- bromobutene-l was added and the reaction mixture heated at 60C. for 1:2 hours.

Recovery of the product was accomplished by pouring the reaction mixture into water and extracting with benzene. The benzene was washed with water and dried with anhydrous calcium chloride. The benzene solution was filtered and the solvent removed. There was obtained 51.8 g. (77 percent) of the title com pound, a yellow liquid, b.p. 87C./0.1 mm, n 1.5249. Analysis calculated for C,,l-1 F NS Carbon, 45.5 percent; hydrogen, 4.7 percent Found: Carbon, 45.0 percent; hydrogen, 5.20 percent.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of 3,4,4-Trifluoro-3-butenyl trithiocarbonate In the same manner as Example 1, ethyl mercaptan (6.2 g.) and triethylamine (10.1 g.) were dissolved in 150 ml. of dioxane. Carbon disulfide (7.6 g.) was then added to the mixture at a temperature held between 2030C. The reaction mixture was heated to 40-45 C. for 45 minutes, 1,1,2-trifluoro-4-bromobutene-1 18.9 g.) was added and the mixture was stirred and heated to 60C. for about an hour. It was then poured into water and the product recovered in benzene, as described in Example 1. There was obtained 8.5 g. of the product, b.p. 69-70C./0.l mm. Analysis: Calculated for C l-l F S Carbon, 34.0 percent; hydrogen, 3.7 percent. Found: Carbon, 34.7 percent; hydrogen, 4.0 percent.

ethyl EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of S-(3,4,4-trifluoro-3-butenyl) N-phenyl- N-methyl isothiourea l-methyl-l-phenyl thiourea (16.6 g.) and 1,1,2- trifluoro-4-bromobutene-l (18.9 g.) were heated under reflux for three hours in 100 ml. of nitromethane as solvent. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in water and neutralized with cold potassium hydroxide. The product was extracted with benzene, dried over anhydrous calcium chloride and the solvent removed by evaporation. There was obtained 19.7 g. of the title compound, n 1.5339. Analysis: Calculated for c, H, F N s: Carbon, 53.0 percent; hydrogen, 4.8 percent; nitrogen, 10.2 percent. Found: Carbon, 53.4 percent; hydrogen, 5.2 percent; nitrogen, 10.1 percent.

The following is a table of the compounds prepared according to the aforedescribed procedures. Compound numbers have been assigned to each compound and are then used for identification throughout the balance of the application.

" No. 13 prepared in Example 1 No. 17 prepared in Example 2 No. 21 prepared in Example 3.

Other examples of compounds falling within the generic formula presented herein and which may be formulated into herbicidal and nematocidal compositions and applied as herein illustrated are:

3', 4', 4-trifluoro-3'-butenyl)-3-p-chlorophenylethyl trithiocarbonate 3, 4', 4'-trifluoro-3'-butenyl-3-p-chlorophenyl ethyl dithiocarbonate N-ethyl-N-a-hydroxymethyl-S-(3, 4, 4-trifluorobutenyl-3) thiolcarbamate.

N-n-butyl-N-y-hydroxy propyl-S-(3, 4, 4-trifluorobutenyl-3) dithiocarbamate.

N-alkyl-N-S-hydroxybutyl-S-(3, 4, 4-trifluorobutenyl-3 )dithiocarbamate.

S-(3, 4, 4-trifluorobutenyl-3 )-1-tetramethyleneimine carbothiolate.

S'-(3, 4, 4-trifluorobutenyl-3)-1-pentamethyleneimine carbothiolate.

S-(3', 4', 4'-trifluorobutenyl-3')-N, N-dicyclobutyl dithiocarbamate.

S-(3', 4', 4-trifluorobuteny1-3')-N, N-dicyclopentyl dithiocarbamate.

S-(3', 4, 4'-trifluor0butenyl-3)- N,N-dicyclobu tyl thiolcarbamate.

As previously pointed out, the herein described toxicants produced in the above-described manner are biologically active entities which are useful and valuable in the control of various organisms The compounds of the invention were tested as nematocides in the following manner.

Nematocide Evaluation Test This test determines a candidates action on root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne, sp.) in soil. One-pound portions of soil infested with root-knot nematodes were placed in quart jars. The chemical to be tested was pipetted into the nematode infested soil at various dilutions of from to 1 part per million (ppm) or until activity was lost. After mixing the candidate compound into the soil, the soil was sealed for 4 8 hours. The treated soil was then placed in paper containers and allowed to stand ina greenhouse one week for airing.

At the end of this time, a tomato plant was transplanted into the soil. The root-knot nematodes attack the tomato plant roots if they survive the chemical treatment, and cause swelling or knots on the roots. Four weeks after treatment, the plant was removed from the soil and the roots inspected. The lowest concentration which prevented nematode development was recorded. The results are set forth in the following table:

TABLE II Compound Nematode Compound Nematode Number Control (ppm) Number Control (ppm) 1 so 17 1 2 1 18 2.5 3 2.5 19 5o 4 25 20 50 5 s 21 25 6 5 22 7 10 23 10 s (10 27 25 9 10 2s 10 10 10 29 10 11 5o 30 100 12 25 32 25 13 5 32 5 14 10 33 10 15 5) 34 5 16 10 partial control The compounds of the present invention may be used as effective nematocides and may be applied in a variety of ways at various concentrations. In practice, the compounds are usually formulated with an inert nematocidal adjuvant, utilizing methods well known to those skilled in the art, thereby making them suitable for application as dusts, sprays or drenches. The amount applied will depend upon the nature of the nematode to be controlled and the rate of application may vary from 1 to 50 pounds per acre. One particularly advantageous way of applying the nematocidal composition comprising the adjuvant and an effective amount of a compound of the present invention is as a spray, drench or dust followed by incorporation.

HERBICIDAL SCREENING TESTS As previously mentioned, the herein described com pounds produced in the above-described manner are phytotoxic compounds which are useful and valuable in controlling various plant species. Compounds of this invention are tested as herbicides in the following manner.

Pre-Emergence Herbicide Test On the day preceding treatment, seeds of seven different plant species are planted in individual rows using one species per row across the width of the flat. The seeds used are hairy crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis (1..) Scop.), Annual bluegrass (Poa annua (L.)), watergrass (Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv.), California red oat (Avena sativa (L.)), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus (L.), Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Coss.) and curly dock (Rumex crispus (L.). Ample seeds are planted to give about 20 to 50 seedlings per row, after emergergence, depending on the size of the plants. The flats are watered after planting. The spraying solution is prepared by dissolving 50 mg. of the test compound in 3 ml. of a solvent, such as acetone, containing 1 percent Tween 20 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate). The following day, each flat is sprayed at the rate of 20 pounds of the candidate compound per gallons of solution per acre. An atomizer is used to spray the solution on soil surface. The flats are placed in a greenhouse at 80F. and watered regularly. Two weeks later, the degree of weed control is determined by comparing the amount of germination and growth of each weed in the treated flats with weeds in several untreated control flats. The rating system is as follows:

-= no significant injury (0-15 percent control) slight injury (25-35 percent control) -H-= moderate injury (55-65 percent control) -Hlsevere injury or death (-100 percent control) in flats as described above for pre-emergence screening. The flats are placed in the greenhouse at 72-85F. and watered daily with a sprinkler. About 10 to 14 days after planting when the primary leaves of the bean plant are almost fully expanded and the first trifoliate leaves are just starting to form, the plants are sprayed. The spray is prepared by weighing out 50 mg. of the test compound, dissolving it in 5 ml. of acetone containing 1 percent Tween 20 (polyoxy-ethylene sorbitan monolaurate) and then adding 5 ml. of water. The solution is sprayed on the foliage using an atomizer. The spray concentration is 0.5 percent and the rate would be approximately 20 lb/acre if all of the spray were retained on the plant and the soil, but some spray is lost so it is estimated that the application rate is approximately 12.5 lb/acre.

Beans are used to detect defoliants and plant growth regulators. The beans are trimmed to two or three plants per flat by cutting off the excess weaker plants several days before treatment. The treated plants are placed back in the greenhouse and care is taken to avoid sprinkling the treated foliage with water for three days after treatment. Water is applied to the soil by means of a slow stream from a watering hose taking care not to wet the foliage.

Injury rates are recorded 14 days after treatment. The rating system is the same as described above for the pre-emergence test where (+1), and (-Hl-) are used for the different rates of injury and control. The injury symptoms are also recorded. The maximum activity index for complete control of all the species in the post-emergence screening test is 18 which represents the sum of the plus marks obtained with the six plant species used in the test. The herbicide activity index is shown in Table III.

TABLE III HERBICIDAL ACTIVITY SCREENING RESULTS l-lerbicidal Activity index" Pre-emergence lb/A) 7 Compound Post-emergence Number Green foxtail (Setaria vividis (L.) Beauv.) was substituted for Annual bluegrass (Paa nnnua( L.)).

21 85-l00% control of all 7 weed species tested pre-emergence. 18 85l00% control of all 6 weed species tested post-emergence.

The present invention further relates to a selective herbicidalcomposition useful for the control of wild oats in wheat and barley crops which comprises S-(3, 4, 4- trifluoro-3-butenyl)N,N-di-isopropylthiolcarbamate and an inert herbicidal adjuvant.

The compounds of the present invention are used as pre-emergence or post-emergence herbicides and are applied in a variety of ways at various concentrations. lnpractice, the compounds are formulated with an inert carrier, utilizing methods well known to those skilled in the art, thereby making them suitable for application as dusts, sprays, or drenches and the like in the form and manner required. The mixtures can be dispersed in water with the aid of a wetting agent or they can be employed in organic liquid compositions, oil and water, water in oil emulsions, with or without the addition of wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agents. The amount applied depends upon the nature of the seeds or plants to be controlled and the rate of application varies from 1 to approximately pounds per acre.

The'phytotoxic compositions of this invention are applied to the plants in the conventional manner. Thus, the dust and liquid compositions can be applied to the plant by the, use of power-dusters, boom and hand sprayers and spray-dusters. The compositions can also be applied from airplanes as a dust or a spray because they are effective in very low dosages. In order to modify or control growth of germinating seeds or emerging seedlings, as a typical example, the dust and liquid compositions are applied to the soil according to conventional methods and are preferably distributed in the soil to a depth of at least one-half inch below the soil surface. It is not necessary that the phytotoxic compositions be admixed with the soil particles and these compositions can be applied merely by spraying or sprinkling the surface of the soil. The phytotoxic compositions of this invention can also be applied by addition to irrigation water supplied to the field to be treated. This methodof application permits the penetration of the compositions into the soil as the water is absorbed therein. Dust compositions, granular compositions or liquid formulations applied to the surface of the soil can be distributed below the surface of the soil by conventional means such as discing, dragging or mixing operations.

The phytotoxic compositions of this invention can also contain other additaments, for example, fertilizers, pesticides and the like, used as adjuvant or in combination with any of the above-described adjuvants. Other phytotoxic compounds useful in combination with the V above-described compounds include for example, 2, 4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acids, 2, 4, S-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2-methyl -4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and the salts, esters and amides thereof; triazine derivatives, such as 2,4-bis (3-methoxypropylamino)-6- methylthio-S-triazine; 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6- isopropylamino-S-triazine, and 2-ethylamino-4- isopropylamino-6-methylmercapto-S-triazine, urea and 3-(p-chlorophenyl)--dimethyl urea and acetamides such as N,N dially -a-chlor0acetamide, N-(achloroacetyl)hexamethylene imine, and N,N-diethyl-abromacetamide, and the like; benzoic acids such as 3- amino-2, S-dichlorobenzoic and; thiocarbamates, such as S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate; S-ethyldipropylthiocarbamate, thiocarbamate, S-ethyl hexahydro-lH-azepine-l-carbothioate and the like. Fertilizers useful in combination with the active ingredients include for example, ammonium nitrate, urea and superphosphate. Other useful additaments include include materials in which plant organisms take root and grow, such as compost, manure, humus, sand and the like.

The concentration of a compound of the present invention, constituting an effective amount in the best mode of administration in the utility disclosed is readily determinable by those skilled in the art. Various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains. It is accordingly intended that the present invention shall only be limited by the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of controlling nematodes comprising applying thereto a nematocidally effective amount of a compound having the formula wherein X is sulfur; R is selected from the group consisting of S-ethyl-cyclohexyl-ethyland S R wherein R and R individually, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl containing from one to carbon atoms, inclusive, hydroxyalkyl containing from one to four carbon atoms, inclusive, alkenyl containing from two to four carbon atoms, inclusive, cycloalkyl containing from four to six carbon atoms, inclusive, and phenyl; and R is selected from LII 

2. The method of controlling nematodes according to claim 1 in which R is -N(methyl)2.
 3. The method of controlling nematodes according to claim 1 in which R is NH-allyl.
 4. The method of controlling nematodes according to claim 1 in which R is ethylthio. 